Celebrity & Talent Partnerships
Senior Leader · 20+ Years · Global
Connecting brands with the talent who make them matter, from the first conversation to the partnership that lasts.
About
Arthur G. Smith is a senior talent experiences and gifting leader with 20+ years connecting talent with brands, networks, and causes. From the first day of production through premieres, awards season, and major cultural activations, Arthur has built a career at the intersection of entertainment, brand storytelling, and relationship-driven gifting strategy.
As founder of AGS Media, Inc., Arthur served as personal talent manager and on-set representative for leading film and television personalities — negotiating directly with producers, studio executives, and networks including BET, Fox Television, and Starz. His brand activation work spans AT&T, Chrysler, Delta Air Lines, PepsiCo, and State Farm, with celebrity partnerships involving Anthony Anderson, Jamie Foxx, Taraji P. Henson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jurnee Smollett, and Terrence J. He served as regional promotional advisor for Prince's 'Welcome 2 America' tour and executed VIP gifting and transportation at the 2012 and 2024 Democratic National Conventions, Super Bowl XLVI, the 2012 and 2019 NBA All-Star Game, the Atlanta Mayor's Ball, and the UNCF NBA Celebrity Basketball Game.
Currently serving as Head of Global Celebrity & Influencer Relations at World Animal Protection, Arthur leads through a global network model — serving as the central authority on celebrity engagement strategy for 13 country office media managers across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, supporting an organization active in 47+ countries worldwide. He has architected the global ambassador framework and drives curated gifting strategy that deepens long-term relationships with talent across each region.
A founding voice in entertainment marketing, Arthur established the Entertainment Marketing Special Interest Group at the Atlanta chapter of the American Marketing Association — the first of its kind in the chapter's 71-year history — producing sold-out industry panels at Turner Studios with executives from Coca-Cola, Pandora, ELeague, and beyond. He is a graduate of the FedEx Office Leadership Development Program (Alpha class), an alumnus of North Carolina A&T State University where he was elected student body president, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He is also a Circle Member of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
His book, The Actor's Guide To Success (Mountain Arbor Press), became a #1 Amazon Bestseller in Business and Entertainment in February 2025.
Current Role
Head of Global Celebrity & Influencer Relations
World Animal Protection · 2023–Present
Founder
AGS Media, Inc.
Talent Management · Atlanta, GA · 2004–2022
Education
University of Missouri–Kansas City
B.A., Political Science
Education
North Carolina A&T State University
Student Body President · Board of Trustees Member
#1 Amazon Bestseller · Business & Entertainment
Mountain Arbor Press · Buy on Amazon
Selected Work
Brand Activation · Live Event
State Farm · Essence Music Festival · New Orleans, LA · July 2014
Identified Taraji P. Henson as key talent for State Farm's style activation targeting young-to-mid-aged African American women. Negotiated appearance fees, talent schedule, travel, accommodations, hospitality, staffing, and security. Delivered 34% under budget.
EXECUTED 34% UNDER BUDGETBrand Activation · Live Event
State Farm · Essence Music Festival · New Orleans, LA · July 2016
Coordinated Anthony Anderson's appearance at State Farm's Essence Music Festival activation. Managed full talent logistics, on-site credentialing, scheduling, and brand alignment for State Farm's "Color Full Lives" campaign.
NATIONAL BRAND ACTIVATION · SUPERDOMEVIP Gifting · Luxury Brands · Live Event
After the Masked Ball · Mayor Kasim Reed · Atlanta, GA · 2015
Curated and executed a luxury VIP gift suite for the Atlanta Mayor's Ball — featuring Chanel and Tom Ford product presentations under glass domes, sourced through Bloomingdale's. Designed the full gifting environment to reflect the prestige of the event and the caliber of attending guests.
LUXURY GIFTING · CHANEL · TOM FORD · BLOOMINGDALE'SAmbassador Gifting · Global · World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection · Global · 2023–Present
Architected and implemented a curated ambassador merchandise program across 13 country offices — featuring Sue Timney-designed pillows and tote bags gifted to 25+ ambassadors. Designed to deepen long-term talent relationships and drive organic social amplification. Recipients including soccer legend Marta and model Alicia Herbeth posted organically upon receiving their gifts.
25+ AMBASSADORS · 13 COUNTRY OFFICES · ORGANIC SOCIAL REACHAmbassador Response · Organic Amplification
World Animal Protection · North America · Europe
The measure of great gifting is what happens after delivery. Soccer legend Marta (six-time FIFA World Player of the Year) and model Alicia Herbeth both posted organically after receiving gifts I curated — amplifying our mission to their combined millions of followers with zero paid media spend.
ORGANIC SOCIAL AMPLIFICATION · ZERO PAID MEDIAVIP Gifting · Political · National Event
Charlotte, NC · 2012 · Chicago, IL · 2024 · Brand Partners
Executed VIP gifting programs and brand activations across two Democratic National Conventions — 2012 in Charlotte, NC and 2024 in Chicago, IL. In 2024, served as celebrity transportation consultant coordinating VIP, speaker, and talent logistics, including liaising with security details and private protection. Supported brand partners AT&T, Chrysler, PepsiCo, and Walgreens across experiential campaigns of 2,000–4,000 attendees.
DNC 2012 · DNC 2024 · CELEBRITY TRANSPORT · VIP GIFTINGBrand Campaign · Out-of-Home · World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection · Los Angeles, CA · 2023–Present
World Animal Protection's brand presence scaled to the streets of Los Angeles — billboard and bus shelter placements carrying the organization's mission directly to the public. Part of a broader strategy to elevate World Animal Protection's visibility in key entertainment markets and deepen brand recognition among cultural tastemakers and talent communities.
BRAND PRESENCE · OUT-OF-HOME · LOS ANGELESAmbassador Relations · World Animal Protection · London, UK
World Animal Protection · Tricia Croasdell, CEO · London, UK
Pictured in London with World Animal Protection Global Ambassador Evanna Lynch and CEO Tricia Croasdell — a reflection of the deep institutional relationships Arthur has built as Head of Global Celebrity & Influencer Relations. Evanna Lynch has been central to flagship campaigns including a voiceover for World Animal Protection's 75th anniversary film short and the global Miami Seaquarium closure campaign.
GLOBAL AMBASSADOR STRATEGY · WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION · LONDONBackstage Access · State Farm · Essence Festival 2016
State Farm · Essence Music Festival · New Orleans, LA · July 2016
Full backstage access at Essence Music Festival with Anthony Anderson and Daylon Goff, State Farm's on-site representative — managing credentialing, hospitality, and green room flow for State Farm's brand activation. Common and Bilal also performed at the same festival, with the full green room environment buzzing across all productions.
FULL BACKSTAGE ACCESS · STATE FARM · AT&T ACTIVATIONSNetwork · Starz · Executive Relations
Starz · AGS Media · Congressional Black Caucus Weekend · Washington, D.C.
Direct relationship with Carmi Zlotnik, President of Programming at Starz, and Omari Hardwick — built through managing talent on Starz's Survivor's Remorse. Negotiated directly with network leadership on behalf of managed talent, coordinating all appearances, scheduling, and on-set representation.
NETWORK PRESIDENT ACCESS · STARZ · POWER · SURVIVOR'S REMORSEManaged Talent · Awards Season · Bounce TV
Bounce Trumpet Awards · Atlanta, GA · 2018
On-site talent management for Erica Ash at the Bounce Trumpet Awards in Atlanta — managing credentialing, artist access, and on-site execution alongside Larenz Tate at the annual awards ceremony celebrating African American achievement.
MANAGED TALENT · BOUNCE TV · ATLANTACelebrity Activation · OWN Network
AGS Media · OWN Network · Oprah Winfrey Network
On-set and off-set talent relationship with Omar J. Dorsey, known for his role as Hollywood Henderson in Ava DuVernay's acclaimed drama series Queen Sugar (OWN Network).
OWN NETWORK · AVA DUVERNAY · QUEEN SUGARCampaign · Political
North Carolina · National Campaign
Identified celebrities with the right mix of influence, accessibility, and social intelligence. Used statewide trend analysis to identify campuses with greatest potential impact — including NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, Johnson C. Smith, Fayetteville State, and NC A&T. Coordinated tour stops featuring Jay-Z and Russell Simmons. Secured Kanye West for regional telephone campaign outreach.
STATEWIDE YOUTH VOTER ENGAGEMENTBrand Partnership · Insurance
State Farm · Ernest N. Morial Convention Center · New Orleans, LA
Coordinated talent appearances and on-site brand activation for State Farm's "Color Full Lives" campaign at Essence Music Festival — working with Anthony Anderson, Morris Chestnut, and Taraji P. Henson. Managed full appearance logistics, credentialing, brand alignment, and on-site execution.
NATIONAL BRAND ACTIVATION · STEP-AND-REPEATOn-Site · Essence Festival
Essence Music Festival · New Orleans, LA · July 2016
On-site talent coordination backstage at Essence Music Festival with legendary R&B artist Charlie Wilson — managing access, hospitality, and artist relations in the green room environment.
ON-SITE ARTIST ACCESS · ESSENCE FESTIVALOn-Site · The Real · Fox
The Real · Essence Music Festival · New Orleans, LA · July 2016
On-site talent coordination with Teyonah Parris at The Real's Essence Music Festival activation — managing access, credentialing, and on-site execution at the Fox Television daytime talk show's step-and-repeat.
FOX TELEVISION · ESSENCE FESTIVALTalent Management · Film & TV
Film · Television · Fine Art · 2004–2022
Personal talent manager and on-set representative for Erica Ash, RonReaco Lee, and Jessie T. Usher — lead cast of Survivor's Remorse (SpringHill Entertainment, Starz) — and documentary filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper. Managed appearances at BET Awards, Congressional Black Caucus, network screenings, and studio events on NBC Universal lot.
FULL TALENT LIFECYCLE · BET · STARZ · NBC UNIVERSALRed Carpet · Awards Season · BET
BET Awards · Microsoft Theater · Los Angeles, CA · June 25, 2017
On-site talent management for Erica Ash at the BET Awards — Erica served as Pre-Show Host conducting red carpet interviews at Microsoft Theater. Pictured with Nissan sponsors, interviewing Logan Browning and Maxwell, with Jesse Williams — whose humanitarian speech that evening became one of the most celebrated moments in BET Awards history — and with Maxwell on the red carpet. Managed all credentialing, artist access, and on-site execution.
TALENT CREW · PRE-SHOW · RED CARPET ACCESSCredentials · Access · Awards Season
BET Awards · Microsoft Theater · Los Angeles, CA · 2017
The credentials tell the story — This is what awards season access looks like. All Work. No Play. (okay, maybe a little play) Memorable still.
TALENT CREW · MANAGEMENT · POWER SCREENING · THE LONDON HOTELNetwork Liaison · BET · Fox · Starz
AGS Media · Los Angeles, CA · National · 2004–2022
Served as primary management liaison to BET, Fox Television, Starz, and SpringHill Entertainment — coordinating all talent and client appearances across broadcast, cable, and production environments. Managed scheduling, logistics, credentialing, and on-site execution for every appearance on behalf of managed talent.
NETWORK-LEVEL TALENT REPRESENTATION · BET · FOX · STARZTour · National Media
AGS Media · National
Served as regional promotional consultant for Prince's 'Welcome 2 America' tour — advising on press strategy and media coordination across four regional markets, liaising with Prince's publicist and management team.
MEDIA STRATEGY · PRINCE'S WELCOME 2 AMERICA TOURCulture · Access · Los Angeles · Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Every ticket stub, every pass, every credential tells a story. Prince's final concert at Fox Theatre Atlanta. Beyoncé's Formation World Tour at the Georgia Dome. Jay-Z 4:44 at Philips Arena. Power screenings at The London Hotel. LeBron's last series in Cleveland. Virgil Abloh giving a talk at the High Museum. Front row, backstage, and everything in between — these are the memories of a kid from Atlanta who dreamed big and lived bigger. This is the Wall of Fame.
PRINCE · JAY-Z · BEYONCÉ · POWER · HIGH MUSEUM · ATLANTACelebrity · Industry · Los Angeles · New Orleans
Macro Pre-Oscar Party · Warwick · Los Angeles, CA · New Orleans, LA
With Lance Gross at the Macro Pre-Oscar Party, Los Angeles. At the Macro step-and-repeat. With Dennis Graham at Warwick, Los Angeles. With Fred Whitaker and Terrence J. at Jazz Live at Hyatt, New Orleans. RonReaco Lee and Lena Waithe at NeueHouse LA.
MACRO PRE-OSCAR · WARWICK · LOS ANGELES · NEW ORLEANSTalent Management · Film Director
AGS Media · National · 2016–2022
Personal talent manager for award-winning director and author Deborah Riley Draper — managing press appearances, film screenings, and industry relationships. Pictured with Tate Taylor (Director, The Help, Get on Up) in Savannah, GA, and presenting Olympic Pride, American Prejudice at the BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta.
FILM DIRECTOR · SCREENINGS · INDUSTRY RELATIONSSocial Media · Tech Platform
Adly · Los Angeles, CA
Developed celebrity engagement strategy for Adly to guide talent identification based on client objectives. Secured Lauren Conrad, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, and Denny Hamlin. Worked directly with talent managers to negotiate compensation and secure access to personal social feeds. Served as creative consultant for platform development.
BRANDS: COCA-COLA, DORITOS, CHEERIOS, AT&TBrand Activation · Live Event
DJ Irie Weekend · Miami Beach, FL · June 2016
Secured and coordinated Jamie Foxx's headline appearance at DJ Irie Weekend in Miami Beach on behalf of Delta Air Lines — managing full talent logistics, contract negotiation, on-site credentialing, green room hospitality, and brand alignment from booking through execution.
CELEBRITY TALENT ACTIVATION · DJ IRIE WEEKEND · MIAMI BEACHBrand Activation · Telecom
AT&T Studio Live · Essence Music Festival · New Orleans, LA · June 2017
Coordinated Tracee Ellis Ross's appearance for AT&T at Essence Music Festival. Managed full talent logistics, on-site credentialing, scheduling, and brand alignment for AT&T's celebrity engagement program at the Superdome.
AT&T · ESSENCE FESTIVAL 2017Multi-Brand · Corporate
National Political Conventions
Activated brand partnerships supporting AT&T, Chrysler, Delta Air Lines, PepsiCo, and State Farm at national political conventions, corporate events, and employee engagement events. Served as project lead sourcing security and transportation vendors. Managed experiential campaigns ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 attendees.
HBCU · Institutional
Dillard University · New Orleans, LA · 10-Year Partnership
Worked with President Dr. Walter Kimbrough to strategize and procure speakers for the Brain Food series for 10 consecutive years. Secured Jurnee Smollett, Kofi Siriboe, Nicholas L. Ashe, Michael Ealy, Michelle Obama, Stacey Abrams, Terrence J., and others. Coordinated cross-functionally with University departments for Brain Food, Commencement, and Homecoming events.
10-YEAR INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPHBCU · National
AGS Media · National HBCU Network
Activated speaker and talent engagements supporting HBCU institutions including Morehouse College, Bowie State University, and Dillard University. Pictured: G. Herbo on stage at Morehouse College chapel — connecting influential cultural voices directly to college students. Collaborated with Thurgood Marshall College Fund to identify high-achieving students for speaker series programming.
NATIONAL HBCU ENGAGEMENT NETWORKCharity · Sports
Jason Terry · Atlanta Hawks · UNCF
Developed strategic plan for Jason Terry (Atlanta Hawks) to create an NBA-sanctioned charity basketball game resulting in a partnership with UNCF. The event contributed $150,000 in revenue for a single event — establishing a model for athlete-driven charitable engagement.
$150,000 REVENUE · SINGLE EVENTSpeaker Series · Producer · Charlotte, NC
PowerTalk · Knight Theater · Charlotte, NC · March 2022
Produced the brand, marketing, and talent partnership for Creative Conversations with Michael Ealy at Knight Theater, Charlotte. A PowerTalk original concept — bringing intimate cultural conversations to live audiences.
Speaking · Congressional Black Caucus Foundation · Washington, D.C.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation · Washington, D.C. · September 2016
Managed Jessie T. Usher's appearance at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference — coordinating travel, logistics, and on-site representation at one of Washington D.C.'s most prominent political and cultural gatherings. Also present for MBK Alliance event with Jessie.
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION · MBK ALLIANCE · WASHINGTON D.C.Community · Thought Leadership · Global
Summit at Sea · The Bahamas
Selected as a participant at Summit at Sea — an invitation-only executive leadership forum convening entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, and thought leaders aboard a chartered cruise ship from Miami. Pictured with Lil Buck, the world-renowned Memphis Jookin pioneer who has collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, Apple, and major fashion houses — a reflection of the cultural cross-section Summit attracts.
SUMMIT AT SEA · 2,500 LEADERS · MIAMISpeaker Series · HBCU · Dillard
Dillard University · New Orleans, LA · With Dr. Walter Kimbrough
Procured Jurnee Smollett for Dillard University's Brain Food speaker series — pictured with Dr. Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University, as part of a 10-year partnership that contributed to the University's record $100M endowment.
10-YEAR PARTNERSHIP · $100M ENDOWMENTSpeaker Series · HBCU · Bowie State
Bowie State University · With Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, President
Secured Rocsi Diaz for a speaker engagement at Bowie State University — pictured with Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, President of Bowie State University. Part of a broader HBCU speaker programming initiative connecting cultural voices directly to college students.
HBCU SPEAKER ENGAGEMENT · BOWIE STATEInternational · Speaker Procurement · Lagos
Poju Oyemade · Covenant Christian Centre · Two Consecutive Years
Worked directly with Poju Oyemade to identify and broker US-based speakers — including Tai Beauchamp — for The Platform conference in Lagos, Nigeria. Negotiated broadcast rights, travel accommodations, and appearance fees for speakers reaching 3M+ viewers across West Africa.
3M+ VIEWER REACH · WEST AFRICA
Civic · Industry · Atlanta
Mayor Andre Dickens · UTA Executives · Atlanta, GA
An invitation-only gathering of Atlanta's most influential civic, entertainment, and business leaders — including Mayor Andre Dickens, Steve Cohen (Partner & Agent of Motion Picture Talent, UTA), and Arthur G. Smith, Founder of AGS Media, Inc.
INVITATION-ONLY · MAYOR DICKENS · UTA · AGS MEDIA · ATLANTASpeaker Series · HBCU · Morehouse College
Morehouse College · Atlanta, GA
Placed Jessie T. Usher as host of the step show at Morehouse College — bringing star power from Starz's Survivor's Remorse and Independence Day: Resurgence directly to college students at one of America's most celebrated HBCUs.
HBCU ENGAGEMENT · MOREHOUSE COLLEGE · MANAGED TALENTTalent & Networks
Taraji P. Henson
State Farm · Talent Activation
Anthony Anderson
State Farm · Talent Activation
Jamie Foxx
DJ Irie Weekend
Erica Ash
AGS Media · Managed Talent
Jessie T. Usher
AGS Media · Managed Talent
RonReaco Lee
AGS Media · Managed Talent
Jurnee Smollett
AGS Media · Talent Activation
Richa Moorjani
World Animal Protection · Global Ambassador
Evanna Lynch
World Animal Protection · Global Ambassador
Mýa
World Animal Protection · Ambassador
Gail Porter
World Animal Protection · Ambassador
Alesha Dixon
World Animal Protection · Ambassador
Peter Egan
World Animal Protection · Ambassador
Tracee Ellis Ross
AT&T · Talent Activation
Teyonah Parris
Fox Television · Talent Activation
Jussie Smollett
AT&T · Talent Activation
Terrence J.
Adly · Talent Activation
Morris Chestnut
State Farm · Talent Activation
Snoop Dogg
Adly · Talent Activation
Ludacris
Adly · Talent Activation
Prince
Welcome 2 America · Talent Activation
Jay-Z & Russell Simmons
Obama for America · Talent Activation
Industry Leadership
Founding Chair of the Entertainment Marketing Special Interest Group — the first of its kind in the Atlanta chapter's 71-year history. Produced a series of sold-out industry panels at Turner Studios and beyond.
2015
Millennials and the Future of TV
Sold OutExploring how millennials are reshaping the future of television consumption, content creation, and brand engagement · AMA Atlanta · #AMAATL
2016
Branding with Star Power
Sold OutHow brands leverage celebrity partnerships to drive awareness, loyalty, and cultural relevance · Peachtree Auditorium, Bank of America Plaza, Atlanta · AMA Atlanta
2017
Bands & Brands
How live music promoters are partnering with marketers to grow the next generation of fans · Panelists: Joe Belliotti (Coca-Cola), Josh Antenucci (Rival Entertainment), Mike Walbert (A3C Festival), Jason Carter (ONE MusicFest) · Moderator: Katrina Johnson (Pandora)
2016
Is Esports the Next Big Marketing Opportunity for Brands?
Exploring the emerging esports landscape and brand partnership opportunities · Panelists: Christina Alejandre (VP & GM, ELeague), Todd Harris (COO, Hi-Rez Studios), Alban Dechelotte (Coca-Cola), Gerard Kelly (President, NRG Esports)
2017
Georgia Production Tax Credit
An informative industry convening for entertainment attorneys, producers, and studio executives on Georgia state film incentives, production tax credits, and how to maximize the state's growing production ecosystem.
By the Numbers
34%
Under Budget
Essence Music Festival talent activation for State Farm — negotiated and delivered a full celebrity experience below projected cost
5,000+
Curated Gifts
Designed and executed 5,000+ curated gifting experiences across two decades — from intimate luxury VIP suites to global ambassador programs spanning 47+ countries worldwide
13
Country Offices
Global celebrity and gifting strategy currently active across 13 country offices through World Animal Protection's international network
$150K
Single Event Revenue
UNCF NBA Celebrity Basketball Game — developed strategic plan for Jason Terry (Atlanta Hawks) resulting in a partnership that generated $150,000 for a single event
10
Year Speaker Series
Dillard University Brain Food series — ten consecutive years of talent procurement, contributing to the University's record $100M endowment
#1
Amazon Bestseller
The Actor's Guide To Success (Mountain Arbor Press) — reached #1 in the Business and Entertainment categories, February 2025
3M+
Viewer Reach
The Platform conference, Lagos Nigeria — brokered US speakers for international conference reaching 3M+ viewers across West Africa
$500M+
Box Office
Managed talent featured in projects grossing $500M+ at the worldwide box office across film and television
$1.75M+
Fundraising Revenue
Year-end fundraising revenue driven by ambassador storytelling campaigns
21%
Donor Growth
Year-over-year donor acquisition growth
88%
Ads Revenue Growth
Paid ads revenue growth tied to celebrity-driven campaigns
Get in Touch
20+ years on both sides of the table — representing talent and partnering it with brands.
Available for senior talent experiences, gifting, and celebrity engagement leadership roles.
